RESULTS
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Ithaca College senior
Dom Mikula earned his first career national title in the pole vault with a mark of 5.05 meters (16' 6.75") on the second day of the 2023 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Polisseni Track & Field Complex on the campus of St. John Fisher University on May 26. The mark of 5.05 meters also set a facility record at St. John Fisher.
Mikula, who is now a seven-time All-American, becomes the first outdoor national champion in men's track & field history and caps off the most decorated career for a student-athlete in that program. He also becomes the 35th student-athlete to win an individual national title, and the 54th all-time national championship, at Ithaca College.
Mikula, a native of nearby Trumansburg, N.Y., began the competition at 4.60 meters (15' 1") and cleared the bar on his first attempt. He then cleared 4.75 meters (15' 7") on the first try to move up to 4.90 meters (16' 0.75").
The field dwindled away at 4.90 meters, as 14 entries were eliminated. Mikula faced elimination at 4.90 as he missed on his first two attempts, but stayed in the competition on his third try. The bar moved up to 4.95 meters (16' 2.75") as only four vaulters remained alive. Mikula missed on the first try but cleared on his second attempt to move up to 5.00 meters (16' 4.75").
From there, it came down to Mikula and Dustin Meyer of Brockport. Mikula cleared 5.00 meters on his first try, but Meyer missed and then elected to pass up to 5.05 meters (16' 6.75").
Mikula continued to cruise as he went up and over 5.05 meters on his first run. Meyer once again missed on the first try and passed to remain in the competition up to 5.10 meters (16' 8.75"). That's where Meyer's championship came to an end as he only had one chance and missed, giving Mikula the national title.
Mikula elected to move the bar to 5.18 meters (17') in an attempt to set a new career-best mark, but was unable to clear that height.
